Winter time is also pothole time because rain, cold, ice and traffic all work to break apart asphalt over time. Thankfully there are now easy ways to report a pothole in both town-owned and state-owned roads and streets.
In Wake Forest, the town has partnered with SeeClickFix, an online service, to allow residents to report using the town’s website at http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/report-a-problem.aspx. Town streets include most residential, subdivision and small streets in town.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation owns most major streets inside and outside town, including Capital Boulevard, N.C. 98, the N.C. 98 Bypass, North Main, South Main, Durham Road, Wait Avenue, Forestville Road and Ligon Mill Road. There are others; if in doubt, report the pothole to both the town and DOT if it is inside town limits but all roads outside town limits are DOT’s responsibility.
The new DOT system follows a new law which requires that all potholes must be fixed within two days; other problems such as drainage issues, clogged culverts, highway debris, and traffic signs must be addressed within 10 business days where there is a safety issue, within 15 business days where safety is not at issue.
You can call DOT’s toll-free number, 877-368-4968, or go to www.ncdot.gov/contact/. You will be asked to give your contact information so they can report back on what happened next and to be specific about the location and size of the pothole or other problem.
Let the Gazette know if you use the reporting systems and how they worked for you.
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Along with potholes, winter – and summer, spring and fall – is the time for roadside litter. Kenille Prosser with the Friends of Wake Forest Library raised the question at Wednesday’s meeting of the Wake Forest Community Council, and after a lively discussion, Jack Kemeny with the Wake Forest Lions Club agreed to contact all the council’s civic groups to help arrange a day later this spring for a town-wide cleanup. If you or you group want to be a part of this, send an email to the editor, cwpelosi@aol.com, and I will put you in touch with Jack.
You do not have to wait to clean up litter. You can call DOT to become part of their official litter cleanup or you can do it by yourself or with your family unofficially. If you walk or run through town regularly, slow down for part of the trip and pick up litter on one or two blocks each day.
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If your business caters to seniors or if you have a lot of senior customers, you might want to reserve a booth at the new Senior Lifestyle Expo the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Tuesday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church on Burlington Mills Road. And most area seniors will want to attend the expo to find out about all the area services and programs.
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With Chad Sary leaving the Wake Forest Planning Department, Director Chip Russell has made some changes. Senior Planner Charlie Yokley has been named to take Sary’s place as the assistant director, and he will continue to review residential projects. Planner Jonathan Cooper will take over review of non-residential projects.
Others in the department are Candace Davis, manager of transportation, and Michelle Michael, who is the staff person for the Historic Preservation Commission and its projects such as this year’s Christmas Historic Home Tour and the rehabilitation and renovation of the Ailey Young House. Russell may be planning to add another staff member.
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If your business is on Rogers Road, you want to know about a meeting the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is arranging at Real McCoys at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, to include official information about the Rogers Road bridge closure in March. It will also marketing strategies offered by local media and the chamber. The meeting is only open to Rogers Road businesses.
